Chapter 20 Paul Reconnaissance
TWENTY
Paul: Reconnaissance
The tension in the room is palpable as I stand before the detailed holographic projection of the Faulks estate. One week. Just seven days until Vivianne is supposed to walk down the aisle and into a life of misery. My jaw clenches at the thought.
I nod, my eyes tracing the unfamiliar layout. "It's likely the largest space on the property. Floor-to-ceiling windows along the east wall, ornate double doors to the south. Security will be tight, but they'll have to let their guard down somewhat to accommodate the influx of guests."
"That's our in. We'll have Delta team posing as catering staff, security personnel, and guests." Forest, the mountain of a man with piercing blue eyes, leans forward.
As if on cue, Mitzy steps forward. Her psychedelic rainbow pixie hair glows under the room's lights, matching her enthusiastic personality. She manipulates the holographic display with a few deft movements.
"Our bumblebee drones—" She pulls up a schematic of the tiny machines.
"—will provide real-time surveillance. I'll keep a few with Vivianne to track her movements; the others can be used if needed to interfere with the estate's security systems. Wish I could use the RUFI on this op, but that's a no-go. "
"Is that how you made contact with Vivianne?" I raise an eyebrow, impressed despite myself.
"Yes."
"RUFI?" Merlin asks.
"Robotic dogs." Mitzy answers as if robotic dogs are commonplace. "We've integrated them into our teams, but they're not good for this."
I glance at Merlin, catching the determined set of his jaw. I know what he's thinking, and it sends a spike of anxiety through me.
"Delta team will be arriving shortly for final planning." CJ clears his throat. "They're experts at these kinds of ops."
"I need to be part of the extraction team. I can't sit on the sidelines while you're rescuing Vivianne." The words burst out before I can contain them.
Sam and Forest exchange a look that sets my teeth on edge.
"That's not a good idea." Sam's voice is careful. "You're too easily recognizable. We have to assume Vivianne's father will have security there, specifically looking for you."
"But—" Anger flares in my chest.
"We understand your connection to Vivianne." Forest cuts in, voice firm. "But emotions cloud judgment."
I want to argue further, but they have a point. Still, the thought of not being there for Vivianne when she needs me most is unbearable.
As the team dives deeper into the plan, my attention drifts to Merlin. He studies the holographic display intently, his eyes darting from one point to another. I know exactly what he's thinking.
The Swan.
When there's a lull in the conversation, I pull Merlin aside, keeping my voice low. "You can't go after the Swan."
"This might be our only chance." Merlin's eyes flick to mine, a hint of defiance in their depths.
"No." I cut him off sharply. "I'm not jeopardizing Vivianne's safety for a piece of jewelry."
"It's more than a piece of jewelry, and you know it." Merlin counters. "It's about justice. About righting old wrongs."
"This isn't the time or place. Let it go. Please." I shake my head, frustration bubbling up.
But as I look at the determination in his eyes—the same determination that's driven him for decades—my resolve weakens.
"It's our best chance. Besides, they've all but cut you out of getting Vivianne, and the big guy is right. You're too identifiable. You're no use there, but I could use you to get the Swan."
"Fine." The word comes out as a mutter, and I barely believe it's leaving my mouth. "But we do this smart. We can't risk the extraction."
"We need to find out where it's kept." Merlin nods, a spark of excitement in his eyes. "Vivianne's seen it, hasn't she?"
"Yes." I nod slowly, the beginnings of a plan forming in my mind. "I'll need to get to her somehow. Either before or during the extraction."
As we rejoin the main group, Mitzy is going over the details of the security systems. Despite my earlier resistance, I pay close attention. Every bit of information could be crucial, not just for Vivianne's rescue, but for our own clandestine mission.
As the planning session continues, Mitzy frowns at the holographic display. "We still need to get final instructions to Vivianne about the extraction. The bumblebee drones are great for simple messages, but for something this complex..."
My opening. "I can do it. I can get a message to her without raising suspicion." I may not be able to free her alone, but I can do this.
"It's risky. If you're spotted—" Sam raises an eyebrow, skeptical.
"I won't be." I cut him off. "This is what I do."
Forest and Sam exchange a look.
"Too risky." Forest mutters.
"Look, if I can slip into the Louvre, the Met, and the Musée d'Orsay without a hitch, I can get in and out of the Faulks estate without anyone knowing." I shake my head, leaning in. "I'm trusting you to get Vivianne out. You need to trust me when I say I can pull this off."
Besides, if Merlin and I are going after the Swan, we need the recon.
I meet their eyes, daring them to challenge me. This is what Merlin and I need—there's no way I'm backing down now.
"It could work. If you can get in, give Vivianne the details, and get out without being seen..." Forest nods slowly.
"Fine. Get in, deliver the message, get out. No heroics, no early extraction attempts. Understood?" Sam sighs, tone firm.
"Understood." I nod, my mind already working through how I'll ask Vivianne about the Swan.
"The estate's security system is top-of-the-line, but my bees can interfere with their cameras and sensors.
" Mitzy leans over the hologram, excitement gleaming in her eyes.
"We'll have a small window, though—Faulks is paranoid, but there are gaps in their coverage.
" She highlights several spots on the map with quick, confident gestures, then looks up.
"So did we agree on sending Paul in ahead of time? "
"Yes." I don't wait for them to change their minds.
"When?" Mitzy looks not at me but at Forest.
Watching them work, I'm struck by how fast they've put this plan together. I've spent years slipping in and out of places like the Louvre and the Met, replacing priceless paintings without a trace. What they've done in hours would have taken me months—if not longer.
Not to mention, this isn't a heist. Replacing a masterpiece is one thing; rescuing a person from a fortress is a whole different game.
"We'll disrupt the cameras here, here, and here." Mitzy continues laying out the final details. "Once we do, we'll have a narrow window before they catch on."
This crew is something else—efficient, precise, and operating at a level I've never had to reach. But the weight of what's coming presses down.
This is no ordinary job.
The planning session continues late into the night.
By the time we break, my head is spinning with details—guard rotations, security protocols, escape routes.
It's a far cry from my usual solo operations, and I find myself both impressed by the Guardians' thoroughness and chafing at the constraints of working with a team.
As the others file out, I linger behind, staring at the holographic display of the Faulks estate. Somewhere in there, Vivianne is counting down the days until her freedom is taken away forever. And somewhere in there is the Swan pendant, a key to unlocking the mysteries of the past.
"We can do this." Merlin's presence beside me registers before he speaks.
"I hope you're right. Because if something goes wrong..." I don't finish the thought. I don't need to. We both know what's at stake.
I cast one last look at the hologram as we leave the room. In just a few days, that virtual representation will become a battlefield. And I'll be damned if I let Vivianne or the Swan slip through my fingers.